Elion took a slow breath.
Okay… patience… don't shove anyone… don't break anyone…
"Guys," he said carefully, "I really just want to get dinner."
A hush fell for exactly half a second.
Then:
"Let him through! He needs food!"
"Move, people! Elion needs protein!"
"Make way for the academy's new monster!"
"Give him space, you clowns!"
Elion blinked as the crowd suddenly behaved like helpful chaos gremlins, pushing each other aside to create a very uneven, messy, zig-zag "path" to the food counter.
He trudged forward awkwardly.
He finally reached the counter, took a tray, and the lady winked up at him.
"Oh. You're the boy everyone's screaming about."
Elion slumped. "Unfortunately."
She nodded sympathetically, then handed him a much larger portion than usual.
"You look like you'll need the extra calories."
He didn't argue.
With his tray loaded, he turned, only to find the crowd waiting. Watching. Whispering.
